Sarcouncil Journal of Engineering and Computer Sciences

Abstract: Production facilities collect endless streams of measurements—temperature fluctuations, pressure variations, speed changes—yet workers confronting breakdowns often rely on outdated paper documents and knowledge passed down through apprenticeships. When the senior mechanic who fixed everything for thirty years retires, that expertise vanishes overnight. Virtual Operator Assistants address this knowledge crisis by turning artificial intelligence loose on decades of accumulated documentation, repair logs, and equipment data. These digital advisors speak the language of the shop floor, answering questions posed in everyday terms with guidance pulled from technical manuals, past incident reports, and live machine readings. Real-world installations show shorter repair times, more uniform work procedures, and accelerated proficiency for inexperienced staff. Key success factors include delivering trustworthy recommendations, showing clear reasoning behind suggestions, and keeping pace with documentation updates as machinery evolves. Engineers are already testing holographic maintenance guides, microphones that filter out press brake noise, and pattern detection that catches bearing wear months early. These upgrades support mechanics and operators in their daily decisions without trying to replace their judgment, building factories where technology and trade skills reinforce each other.